*The Black Movie Hall of Fame (BMHOF) has released a landmark list, ranking the 100 most influential Black films ever made, crafted by over 40 leading Black film critics and entertainment journalists.
This initiative fills a void left by mainstream lists from outlets like The New York Times and Rotten Tomatoes, which often overlooked the Black cinematic perspective.
“Inspired by the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Movies list, this is our fresh take on some of the best movies ever made,” said Shawn Edwards, BMHOF executive director and WDAF film critic.
He emphasized, “What sets this list apart from others is that every film on the list is about the Black experience and curated entirely by Black film critics and entertainment journalists.”
The panel, led by Edwards, includes notable figures like Gil Robertson (African American Film Critics Association), Aramide Tinubu (Variety), and Kevin Frazier (Entertainment Tonight), alongside contributors from across the globe. This diverse group highlights films spanning decades, from early works to modern hits.
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Spanning a century of cinematic achievement, the list features “Within Our Gates” (1920) as the oldest film and “Sinners” (2025) as the newest addition. Spike Lee stands out as the most prolific director, contributing five titles to the collection. Sidney Poitier leads all actors with appearances in six films, while Denzel Washington follows with four roles, securing the second-highest count.
The lineup showcases diversity in filmmaking, with nine titles helmed by women directors and six documentaries enriching the roster. Animated films are represented by two entries, and two made-for-television movies also make the cut. Euzhan Palcy emerges as the sole woman director with multiple titles, boasting two films, while Melvin Van Peebles and Mario Van Peebles mark the only father-son director duo on the list.
The top 100 are:
1. “Malcolm X” (1992)
2. “Black Panther” (2018)
3. “Do The Right Thing” (1989)
4. “The Color Purple” (1985)
5. “Moonlight” (2016)
6. “Claudine” (1974)
7. “12 Years a Slave” (2013)
8. “Get Out” (2017)
9. “Sinners” (2025)
10. “Carmen Jones” (1954)
11. “Coming to America” (1988)
12. “Cooley High” (1975)
13. “Sounder” (1972)
14. “Hoop Dreams” (1995)
15. “Super Fly” (1972)
16. “Ray” (2005)
17. “OJ: Made in America” (2016)
18. “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” TV (1974)
19. “American Fiction” (2023)
20. “Boyz n the Hood” (1991)
21. “Richard Pryor: Live in Concert” (1979)
22. “Shaft” (1971)
23. “Hidden Figures” (2016)
24. “Friday” (1995)
25. “Dreamgirls” (2006)
26. “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961)
27. “The Five Heartbeats” (1991)
28. “I Am Not Your Negro” (2016)
29. “Watermelon Man” (1970)
30. “City of God” (2002)
31. “Glory” (1989)
32. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)
33. “Menace II Society” (1993)
34. “Tsotsi” (2005)
35. “The Emperor Jones” (1933)
36. “Eve’s Bayou” (1997)
37. “Lilies of the Field” (1963)
38. “Soul Food” (1997)
39. “Black Caesar” (1973)
40. “Selma” (2014)
41. “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986)
42. “Island in the Sun” (1957)
43. “In the Heat of the Night” (1967)
44. “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972)
45. “When We Were Kings” (1996)
46. “Love & Basketball” (2000)
47. “What’s Love Got to Do With It” (1993)
48. “The Mack” (1973)
49. “To Sleep With Anger” (1990)
50. “Within Our Gates” (1920)
51. “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (1971)
52. “Set It Off” (1997)
53. “Waiting to Exhale” (1995)
54. “Straight Outta Compton” (2015)
55. “Blade” (1998)
56. “Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995)
57. “Sonkofa” (1993)
58. “Love Jones” (1997)
59. “A Rage in Harlem” (1991)
60. “A Soldier’s Story” (1984)
61. “A Dry White Season” (1989)
62. “Hollywood Shuffle” (1987)
63. “Black Orpheus” (1959)
64. “Stormy Weather” (1943)
65. “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988)
66. “Cabin in the Sky” (1943)
67. “The Exile” (1931)
68. “Rosewood” (1997)
69. “To Sir, With Love” (1967)
70. “New Jack City” (1991)
71. “House Party” (1990)
72. “The Green Pastures” (1936)
73. “Hotel Rwanda” (2004)
74. “Home of the Brave” (1949)
75. “Hallelujah!” (1929)
76. “Nothing But a Man” (1964)
77. “Purple Rain” (1984)
78. “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” (1999)
79. “Krush Groove” (1985)
80. “La haine” (1995)
81. “Sugar Cane Alley” (1983)
82. “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts” (2006)
83. “Touki Bouki” (1974)
84. “Juice” (1992)
85. “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974)
86. “Bamboozled” (2000)
87. “Killer of Sheep” (1977)
88. “Cotton Comes to Harlem” (1970)
89. “Paris is Burning” (1991)
90. “Daughters of the Dust” (1991)
91. “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” (1973)
92. “Battle of Algiers” (1966)
93. “Precious” (2009)
94. “Miracle in Harlem” (1948)
95. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967)
96. “Burning an Illusion” (1981).
97. “The Learning Tree” (1969)
98. “Wild Style” (1982)
99. “Black Girl” (1966)
100. “The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
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